Watney claims Classic lead

Nick Watney put himself in a good position for an early birthday present by emerging as third-round leader at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Saturday.

Watney, who turns 26 on Thursday, shot a four-under-par 68 to take a two-shot lead over Ken Duke, who shot a 66 and also is in search of his first PGA Tour win.

Mark Calcavecchia started the day with a one-shot lead but shot even-par to fall into a third-place tie with Scott Gutschewski (67) at 201.

The fact that Calcavecchia had dropped back was not entirely surprising. He has had the lead after 36 holes 15 times in his career and has gone on to win only four times.

The last instance in which a second-round leader went on to win this event occurred in 2000, when Carlos Franco beat Blaine McCallister on the second play-off hole.

A product of Fresno State, Watney shot a bogey-free 67 on Friday and was bogey-free in the third round until losing a shot on the 17th. He carded four birdies in seven holes starting at the 10th to take the lead.

Watney’s best finish this season is a tie for ninth at the Buick Invitational. His best career finish is a fifth-place tie last season at both the Reno-Tahoe Open and the FUNAI Classic.

The 38-year-old Duke, whose best PGA finish is a ninth-place tie, carded four of his six birdies on the back nine.

Calcavecchia made his first mistake of the tournament at the par-four fourth where he carded a double-bogey.

The 46-year-old regrouped on the back nine, signing for two birdies against one bogey, but he has a lot of work left to secure his 14th PGA title.

Opening-round leader Kyle Reifers (71) is fifth, another stroke back at 205.

After being moved last year due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the event is back at the TPC Louisiana, a course that plays 7,341 yards.

Nearly 2,000 trees were lost due to the storm and a number of holes were completely under water. It took over a year to get the course back into shape after the event was relocated to English Turn, its previous home, last season.